Using a lysimeter study to assess the parameters responsible for oak wood decay from waterlogged burial environments and their implication for the in situ preservation of archaeological remains

To date there has been an assumption that saturation is the key variable in ensuring the in situ preservation of archaeological remains. However, recent research has indicated that waterlogged wood from archaeological contexts are susceptible to microbial degradation under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In this study, the analysis of fresh oak sapwood samples from a controlled laboratory experiment (lysimeter study) has also shown that the rate of degradation in the immediate post-burial period can be significant to the degradation process. The results produced not only provide further information into the most appropriate methods for the long-term preservation of the archaeological resource, but also highlight important insights into the viability of re-wetting as a means of conservation.